17:56 17.03.2022

ICRC president names steps Ukraine and Russia should take to reduce suffering of civilians

2 min read
ICRC president names steps Ukraine and Russia should take to reduce suffering of civilians

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer, who is in Ukraine, named a number of steps that Ukraine and the Russian Federation should take to reduce the suffering of the civilian population, even without a ceasefire.

"I am in Kyiv, Ukraine, this week and make an urgent plea to the parties to the conflict. Even without a ceasefire, there are practical steps that the parties must take now by respecting international humanitarian law to limit civilian suffering: First - concrete agreements that would allow safe passage out of cities like Mariupol. Civilians must be able to leave areas of violence. Specific details must be agreed upon and widely shared," he said on Twitter.

"Second - allow humanitarian aid in. The parties are obligated under international humanitarian law to ensure people under their control have access to assistance, and to allow aid in. Third - ensure that those who are not part of the fight are protected, wherever they are, be it in their homes or while traveling, and whether or not they are in a so-called humanitarian corridor. Fourth - spare civilian infrastructure from attack, including hospitals, schools, water facilities and electricity infrastructure. Fifth - treat prisoners of war and detained civilians with dignity. They are protected against ill-treatment and exposure to public curiosity including images on social media. The Geneva Conventions also ensure @ICRC has access to detainees," he said.

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